009

NINE

THE ANDERSON VILLA

Luke stormed back into the house, his face still burning with anger and humiliation. His girlfriend, Sarah, looked up from her book, concern etched on her face.

"Luke, what's wrong? What happened at Imani’s " she asked, setting the book aside.

Luke brushed past her, his tone curt. "Nothing. It didn't work out."

Sarah's eyes narrowed, her voice soft. "What does that mean? Did you talk to her?"

Luke didn't answer, walking into his study and closing the door behind him.

Sarah sighed, “That girl Imani!” She spew out, frustration etched on her face. She knew that look, knew he was shutting her out.

“I knew she was going to be a hell of trouble!”

She hesitated for a moment, then turned back to her book, trying to focus on the words but her mind kept wandering back to Luke and Imani.

In the study, Luke paced back and forth, his mind racing. Imani had played him, had used his desperation against him.

He stopped in front of his desk, “…there had to be a weakness, she can't get away with this! She can't take everything from me! I need something I can use to get what I wanted.” His was fierce but low.

Whilst he was still thinking a knock came on the door,

Sarah's voice came from outside the door, soft and muffled. "Luke, can I come in?"

Luke's eyes snapped to the door, his expression hardening. "Not now, Sarah."

Sarah's voice was hesitant. "Okay... but please, Luke, don't do anything stupid. I found a solution!”

Luke's eyes widened and thought about what Sarah solution was, “Solution?” He muttered.

“Yes. Let me in.” She said and Luke went ahead to open the door for her.

“What's the solution?”

-IMANI TECH BUILDING-

Imani walked into the office, her heels clicking on the polished floor harde than anything else. Even her staffs could tell from her look that today is about to be a long day at work.

Luke had to add to it as well ‘Ugh!” Imani sighed after thinking of that.

She dropped her bag onto her desk and took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the day.

It was barely 5 minutes when Emily walked in, ready to offload the schedule into her head.

“What's my schedule?” Imani asked.

Emily went through her list on her Ipad, “First, in 30 minutes time, you'd be having meeting a with the marketing team against our next product campaign. Then—”

“That's a whole lot..” Imani muttered but Emily smiled icily.

“But that's not all. You will still need to discuss with the investors. Then, Killan’s new project later in the evening.” Emily ended her lost.

“Can't we skip any?”

“No. Our profits must skyrocket….those were your words ma'am. We must abide by that….by all means,” Emily grin at the last part.

Imani sneered, she could tell the sarcasm in her words.

“I should prepare for the meeting, excuse me,” With that Emily left.

After lots of hours, the meetings passed quickly and Imani was impressed with each and everyone she met, leaving her with the meeting with Killan

As she was wrapping up the meeting with the investors when her, Emily, poked her head into the conference room. "Imani, Killan's here to see you."

Imani's eyes met Emily's, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "Tell him I will join him soon." she said.

After she ended the meeting successfully, she headed to her office where Killan is. He was waiting with his other two crew me members.

Imani walked in, “Thanks for waiting. What do you have for me?” Imani asked, sounding so professional.

Killan launched into a pitch, his words spilling out with enthusiasm. He had some fantastic tech ideas, though Imani's expression was something he couldn't read. Is she liking the idea? Is he making any sense.

No response whatsoever from Imani but she nod through out his presentation. If there was something she did right, it was listening.

Finally after about 30 minutes, Killan rounded up with his presention and a silence stretched in.

Imani stare intensively at the screen as she tap her forehead. It's crystal clear that Killan and his crew member was waiting for her response.

“Imani tech has been a lover of what people requests…we love our clients that we want to satisfy their wants—” She began, Killan heart sank.

Is he about to get rejected?

“—but your work just proved to me that we can get them their needs as well. So—-it’s a good one. Pass!” She finally said and Killan and his crew members smiled out.

“Thank you.” Killan mumbled while Imani just shrugs her shoulders.

Her eyes ran to her wristwatch, “I guess it's a wrap. Let's call it a day then,” She concluded and was about getting up when Killan appeared in her front

“What about a team dinner? Mind joining us?” Killan asked, his crew were begging with their eyes as well.

“Maybe some other time. I have a lot to do,” Imani declined politely and Killan nod.

“Okay. We will leave now,” He said and with that he left with his crew.

Imani felt bad, “Why did you even reject them. It's just a team dinner..huh? Whatever…” She muttered in her head then took her bag and walked out.

“Please ma'am, I won't be able to drive you home..but I already called your chauffeur ma'am,” Emily told her on her way out

Imani narrowed her eyes, “Why is that? Are you going out?” Imani asked.

“Yes ma'am. Killan invited the whole team to his team dinner party so I'm going there,” Emily informed her.

Imani scoffed. “Seems Killan has been taking a lot from me these days including my son,” Her response was so low that Emily couldn't hear her.

“Huh?”

“Er..nothing,” Imani replied and got into the elevator while Emily left to attend the dinner.

While Imani was in the elevator, two ladies were discussing…Imani cared less but her interest piqued when they mentioned Killan.

“Seems his lover is coming to the dinner party, I can't wait to be there!” One said while Imani scoffed but listened even more.

“His lover? He has a girlfriend? Aw, lucky her…Killan is so handsome,” The other lady concluded.

Imani scoffed with an eyeroll, “why the hell is he so flirty with me when he's got a girlfriend?” She muttered under her breathe

The elevator opened indicating she had arrived at the parking hall-way but she didn't notice because she wanted to listen to what the ladies were saying.

“Where is the location again?” One asked.

“Olan Bar…down the street,”

As if she was waiting for them to mention the location, she smiled and finally got off the elevator.

——-

—OLAN BAR—

“Truth!” Killan screamed and the others beat the table as if they were waiting for his turn.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” a lady asked sharply but Killan smiled and took a glass of wine, he gulped it down immediately.

Everyone expectation dropped. He was avoiding their questions, that was his fifth glass of wine.

“Truth or dare!”

“Dare!”

“I-“

“Huh? Wait— ? Isn’t that Imani Shawn?” Emily who was close to the entrance mumbled staring at the person standing by the door. Everyone’s attention turned to the entrance.

Was she getting drunk? What’s Imani doing here?l